First, the Bible warns us not to be deceived.  Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  We may pretend there will be no consequences to the paths we choose, but sooner or later, the chickens do come home to roost.

Next, the Bible warns us not to deceive ourselves.  In 1 John 1:8, it says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  This is the most dangerous truth.  A person can live their whole life and miss out on the truth of their existence.  Nothing is lonelier, or sadder, than the wasted life of someone who was deceived by the devil or by themselves.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to discern – to decide between truth and error, right and wrong.  We should think biblically.  As stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:22-22, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

It sounds like discernment is not optional for us – it is required.